7th Circuit sets hearing on gay marriage ban

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Lawyers will argue the constitutionality of gay marriage bans in Indiana and Wisconsin in about a month.

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals announced Friday on its online docket that it has rescheduled oral arguments for both states' appeals of federal court decisions for Aug. 26.

Federal judges in Indiana and Wisconsin overturned each state's gay marriage ban in separate rulings. When both states appealed, the 7th Circuit Court combined the cases and set aside the previous hearing date.

The 7th Circuit also denied requests that the states' appeals be heard before the full 10-member court instead of a three-judge panel, as is customary.

Hundreds of same-sex couples were married in both states after the bans were overturned and before stays were issued.